Che the Mesmer 1

"Che! Che!!" Across the busy marketplace a voice called. The scribe looked on helplessly as the dark brown haired boy continued on. There was very little hope that the scribe would get through the crowd in time to catch him before he went out the arch. A lean hand clamped down on the scribes shoulder.

"let me."

A tall lean man stood up in the crowd, creating a small circle of space around him. He had that effect.

"CHE LYANDERSON!" his bellow carried easily across the crowd. Not only did Che turn around but every last one of the people in the crowd stopped what they were doing to look. The scribes face turned beet red.

"uh, thank you Sir Rydus."

"Don't mention it. Send him to me when you're done will you?"

Che waited for the scribe to scramble through the crowd as the noise and bustle continued on its way.

"Che .." The scribe panted. "You have .. messages."

Che smiled, his light blue eyes twinkling, "Oh really? So important it couldn't wait?"

"no I'm afraid not. And Sir Rydus would like to see you."

"Well, that can only mean it's important, lets go see what he wants."

Flinging his dark brown hair out of his eyes he started back the way he came causing the crowd to complain. 

"sorry .. my apologies, 'scuse me... just going..this..way, sorry!"

The scribe stuck to Che's side like a burr. They reached the courtyard in time to see Sir Rydus welcoming several groups of families. Che noted that Sir Rydus carried his bright red leather hauberk with ease. His weapon was strapped to his side and his leather covered shield had been polished. Even the nubs of steel were shiny.

"There are more all the time .." The scribe whispered.

"Well, it's dangerous outside the gates anymore." replied Che. He waited until Sir Rydus was done and approached. "Sir Rydus?"

"Ah, Che, there you are. It's your lucky day. It seems that Sebedoh the Mesmer has taken an interest in you. She thinks she could teach you some things."

Che's eyes opened wide. "Sebedoh? Me? Really?? But I'm only 17!"

Something in Sir Rydus eyes caused the scribe to give pause, though it didn't seem to dampen Che's spirits a bit. The boy nearly jumped for joy at the thought of such a prestigious teacher.

"Well there are boys going into the marching units at 16 now so don't be so surprised. Besides, you're good. Very good. Why don't you follow the scribe and grab your other messages before you head out. There may be a few opportunities for you to practice along the way."

"Yes Sir, thank you Sir!"

Sir Rydus's smile faded quickly. He turned to glance out at the huge wall that separated Amylore from the increasing violence that was occurring there. On the other side, Amylore city with it's peaceful arches leading to the lakeside, the Hills, and Myror's Valley were all safe with a few normal exceptions here and there. The city however, stood in ever increasing danger. Only rising stars such as Che might be able to slow or stop the advance of the Sheharr invasion.

The Little Boy 3

The parchment unfolded in the captains long fingers. He plucked the bone from within its folds and read. It did not take long to read. The Captains face drooped and his eyebrows knotted. He glanced at the child.
"The only one left?"
"Yes." answered Lycosia.
Nodding the Captain turned to another soldier. "Get these adventurers food and quarters. The cat must stay here."
Lycosia grimaced as she got up holding the boy, "That..cat, just saved one of your soldiers lives!"
"Our citizens will not understand that adventurer. I will order what ever food you think he would like. He must stay here between the wall and the stairs. I trust you can tell him to do so."
At Lycosias regretful nod he turned away, "I will arrange an audience with the Prince. You may introduce yourselves."
A side of mutton was brought for the stalker. The men who brought it stood hesitatingly at the shielding wall to the gate area. The stalker lay panting and drooling at the sight of the meat. When the men nervously threw the side on the ground the stalker gave them a hurt glance. The child shamed them by scrambling down from Lycosias arms, walking fearlessly to the stalker and throwing his arms around his neck. The stalker rumbled and licked the childs face affectionately. The boy stood up and walked back to Lycosia. As they passed the two still frightened men he turned to them.
"You should be nice to him. He knows if you are afraid. He won't hurt you, he likes you."
Cormac struggled to keep a straight face.
The trio found themselves in comfortable quarters as a dripping rain began to wash down on the city. They were brought food, clean clothes to wear, and baths. The woman who brought hot water for the boy exclaimed as she saw him.
"Che? What are you doing here? Why do you two have him instead of...his.. parents." her voice drifted away and she put a hand to her mouth.
"oh...oh..." she said softly.
Lycosia tried to ease the tension of the situation when she saw tears in the woman's eyes.
"Well, Che, that's your name is it? Now we know." she said a bit brightly. "Here's the soap and a soft brush, why don't you get yourself cleaned up and we'll .. go have a talk with your friend hm?"
Firmly turning the the woman to the sitting area she closed the door so the boy would have privacy. They sat down at the table. Lycosia poured a cup of wine for the woman. Cormac busied himself with removing his leather under armor and stretching out his enormously muscled chest.
"His name, his name is Che Lyanderson. His parents are, were, green farmers for the city. They brought hay and grain and fresh vegetables. Che was the light of their lives. The only one they had. I saw him every week they came, so bouncy and curious. Oh I can't believe they're gone!" she finished in a whisper and tears slipped down her wrinkled cheeks unheeded.
Lycosia waited for the silent tears to ease, handing her a square of towel dipped in some water for her eyes. She took another square of wet toweling and began to swab the deep scratches and burns she had gotten.
"We need to make sure he's safe. Do you know of someone we can take him to?"
"oh, yes I'll take him for sure. He'll be no bother at all. Any number of teachers here would be willing to take him."
"Thank you. I'm sure he'll be happy with that. We probably won't have much time here. We don't stay anywhere very long before we're sent off somewhere new. Why don't you come by tomorrow morning for him?"
With the agreement made, the woman let herself out. Lycosia moved closer to the fireplace and listened to the rain drops. Inside the other room Che sat in the tub silently listening, moving the water back and forth with the brush.
"Lycosia" he heard Cormac speak
"yes Cormac?"
"Do you regret?"
"Do I regret what? Not being settled? Not having children? Not being married?"
"Any of it."
"No. That boy, Che, may grow up to be a great warrior himself some day or a monk, or a mesmer. He'll be alright. He just needs a loving place to grow up. I had a loving home and It gave me time to know that I love new places. I share in the stalkers thrill of the hunt. I have been to many places already but I have many more places to go before I will be ready to sit in one place for the rest of my life."
Cormac's voice was deep and soft with a ready laugh, "We already have a few people in the guild. We should get more. Then some day when Che is ready, he can join us. Maybe he can take over."
As the warmth of the water soaked away the ash and dirt, Che dunked his head under the water and scrubbed his hair. He decided he wanted to be like them when he grew up. He wanted to be a great magician, casting spells and saving people in the nick of time. Through the whole terrifying experience of running from the Charr, he felt a thrill inside him that had overridden the terrible despair of losing his parents. Just like his new friends, he too, would be great.

The Little Boy 2

  It was with great relief they saw the great walls of Amylore rising up before them. The child had still not spoken a word in the few days they had been marching. They now crouched at the edge of a field, keeping close watch all around them for the ugly snarling visages of the Sharr who liked to walk up on their victims unannounced. They could see the gate, but they knew it would only be opened if it was safe to do so.
Lycosia motioned to the child to climb on her back and spoke softly.

"Little one, this may be a scary run, but trust me we will protect you. Do not let go of me for anything. Even if I should fall to the ground, do not let go."

The child nodded slightly, eyes wide. It was the first motion of acknowledgment she had gotten from him.

Cormac whispered, "Shall I tie my shield onto your back?"

"No, I am going to weave a spell."

Digging her heels into the ground Lycosia began whispering, weaving divine enchantments into a symbiotic presence. She placed the enchantments on all of them and a spirit rose up between them.

"I give you life..." it murmured.

They began moving among the bare edge of the field, creeping ever closer to the gate in Amylore's wall. It was a wall guard who first spotted them. Unfortunately the Sharr spotted them almost immediately afterward. In an odd presentiment of danger, Lycosia flung herself to the side as a shearing force of fire swept through the place she had been standing. The field began to burn.

"RUN!" shouted Cormac.

Lycosia sprinted as Cormac yanked an axe from his belt and swung it to keep the Sheharr at bay. Several times Lycosia had to leap to avoid attacks and when she was not successful she felt the burning pain of an arrow or a spell. The stalker cat snarled again and again, wanting to turn and fight, but the order had been clear to stay with his mistress and not fight. The boy whimpered and sometimes screamed with terror but did not let go. The gate was opened at the very last second and they bolted for it. A flurry of blows ensued between parties. Cormac knocked the Sheharrs weapon away as they reached the gate. A guard stepped out as Lycosia scrambled in and swung a sword at the filthy maw that gaped to envelope Cormac's leg. The flat of the blade rang against its teeth and it roared angrily. Moving faster than lightning the beast turned its attack and the soldier felt the pinching agony of those teeth in his own leg. He screamed. Bringing up the rear, the stalker stretched his interpretation of Lycosia's command and leaped on top of the Sharrs back long enough to dig his claws down through the fur into its skin. The Sharr let go and the guard and stalker flung themselves inside. The gate slammed shut.

Inside, Lycosia lowered her forehead to the sandy ground and concentrated on breathing. She felt the child still clutching her tightly, even as guards tried to pry him off of her back. They stopped as the stalker huffed and growled at them. Lycosia sat up and patted the childs hands.

"You can let go now. Let go...here..come sit in my lap, let me see you."

The child transferred his grip, but still did not let go of her neck even when sitting in her lap. She made sure he did not have any wounds and then hugged him tightly.

"Cormac, are you well?"

"Well enough. Better than Esher here."

Lycosia felt the presence of a healer bustle between them and kneel by the guard. Within a few moments the wound on the guards leg began to hiss. The beasts saliva smoked away and the flesh began to pull together. It was not a painless process, but the guard made no sound. Within a few minutes his leg was healed solidly.

"Now perhaps you can tell us why you are here?" The captain of the guard asked.

Lycosia fished a strip of parchment from a side pouch and handed it up to the Captain.

The Little Boy

The shadows played tricks on the mind of some, but Lycosia knew all the tricks wraiths could play on the eyes. Something just wasn't right. Between the rocks came a soft whimper. Reacting instantly, Lycosia's bow was pointing toward the extra shadow in the rocks. The light slid off the tip of the bladed arrow.
"Cormac...", she said tensely.
Walking forward almost as quietly as Lycosia's own stalker, the huge man in silver armor focused where Lycosia looked.
The whole area was choked with rock dust. Remnants of charred trees smoked amidst the sandy remains of the city. Lycosia nodded and Cormac crept up on the tiny shadow. For a moment his face was focused with intent, then his face was a study in confusion.
"Lycosia?"
"Yes?"
"This doesn't look like a wraith. It doesn't even look like an Elemental."
Sheathing his sword, he knelt beside the rocks. In a moment he had fished out what looked like a spitting, howling, monkey in rags. It slashed at Cormac's armor and screamed in a terror filled shriek.
"We wont...here now...stop that..we're not going to..."
Lycosia deftly snatched the figure from Cormac's hands.
"STOP!" she thundered. Frozen in fear, the shriek stopped. It was a little boy. They all looked at each other in mystified silence. Then removing her bright blue cloak with the golden tree symbol, Lycosia wrapped the ragged, scratched, and filthy child in it.
"Where did you come from?" Lycosia asked him. The child made no sound. "Do you have a name?"
There was no answer to any question. Lycosia looked up as her feline stalker slipped past Cormac and butted her elbow. She turned to look and felt the child stiffen and shudder.
"No no, he won't hurt you, it's ok. Come here kitty kitty. Show me what you have."
The stalker, who was as tall as Lycosias knee, gave her a withering look at the title 'kitty kitty' but obediently dropped the item from his jaws into her palm. Lycosia held a charred finger bone. She sighed heavily. Their employer would be very unhappy. If the stalker brought back only this, it meant that there was nothing else he could see. All the people in this area were dead and gone.
Lycosia glanced up at Cormac who had a heavy look on his face. Slowly he lowered his face shield into place and set out to scout the way back. There were a few elementals that might still be roaming. Lycosia lifted the boy into her arms. "Well we can't leave you here. It'll be ok."
The boy's head slowly drifted to her shoulder as they walked. Cormac fell into step with her.
"Poor thing. I can only imagine the horrors he's witnessed."
Asleep, the boy twitched. In his sleep fire surrounded him. Monsters killed indiscriminately. He sniffled.